The Verdict on Intentionally or Unintentionally Burning the Quran

By Abdul Azeez bin Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)

Question: What is the penalty for someone who burns the Quran, unintentionally and he doesn’t become aware until after the fact.

Answer: There is no blame on him, as long as it was unintentionally. For instance, he burned the Quran ,and he didn’t know he was burning Allah’s book. Also, if a person burns the Quran intentionally, because some pages were torn or cut out for safety, then there is no problem in this act. If the Quran is torn or ripped and it is illegible and unable to be benefitted from, and then it can be burned or buried in clean place, so it’s not subject to harm or defamation.

Now if a person burns the Quran detesting it, cursing it, and angry with what’s inside it, then this is a great evil that nullifies faith. Moreover, included in these sinful actions are; sitting and stepping on the Quran, and soiling it with filth (urine, feces, menses etc), and cursing or cursing whoever reads Allah’s speech. All of these actions nullify a person’s faith and we seek refuge in Allah from such deeds.

www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/4754

Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

Doha, Qatar 1431 –The Blessed Arabian Gulf